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A Big Day for Commercial Spaceflight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/29 11:42 CDT

On Sunday, Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus resupply spacecraft was berthed to the ISS, while SpaceX's upgraded Falcon 9 lifted off from the California coast.

Cygnus Aborts Station Approach, Will Retry Tuesday

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/22 05:46 CDT

The private spacecraft Cygnus was forced to abort its first attempt to berth with the International Space Station Sunday morning due to a software glitch.

Antares and Cygnus blast off to International Space Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/18 11:09 CDT | 1 comments

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Antares rocket lifted off from the Virginia coast this morning, successfully carrying the first operational Cygnus resupply spacecraft into orbit.

Cygnus ready to spread its wings, fly to ISS

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/09/16 01:43 CDT

Orbital Sciences Corporation's Cygnus spacecraft will launch to the International Space Station Wednesday atop an Antares rocket.

Dream Chaser mini-shuttle prepares for free flight tests

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/08/15 03:42 CDT | 3 comments

Sierra Nevada Corporation's Dream Chaser spacecraft recently completed a series of range and taxi tow tests, which pave the way for free flights that could begin this fall.

POSTPONED: Planetary Society Hangout, Planetary Resources' Chris Lewicki

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/06/05 11:23 CDT

The Hangout has been postponed because of technical difficulties. Stay tuned for rescheduling information.

Planetary Resources' Crowdfunded Space Telescope

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/05/31 11:25 CDT | 2 comments

A fan-funded space telescope, usable by the public? It's an awesome idea, and it appears that a wide swath of the public agrees. Planetary Resources, headed by president and chief engineer Chris Lewicki, announced a Kickstarter project yesterday, with the goal of raising $1 million toward one of their ARKYD space telescopes.

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo first powered flight

Supersonic flight for SpaceShipTwo

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/04/29 12:48 CDT | 6 comments

Virgin Galactic achieved a major milestone today with the first supersonic flight for its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle. The rocket fired for a total of 16 seconds.

Antares sails test payload into orbit

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/04/22 11:12 CDT | 3 comments

Orbital Sciences Corporation completed a major milestone for NASA's COTS program as their Antares rocket sent a test payload into orbit.

Mars One astronaut selection announcement

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/04/21 08:29 CDT | 25 comments

Today I am on my way to New York City, where I will be serving as the moderator for Mars One's first press briefing.

Antares ready for inaugural flight

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/04/11 09:48 CDT | 5 comments

Orbital Sciences Corporation is ready to send their Antares rocket system on its inaugural flight.

Pretty pictures: Gliding flight for SpaceShipTwo

Posted by Emily Lakdawalla on 2013/04/05 12:46 CDT | 8 comments

Some beautiful photos of a recent gliding flight test of SpaceShipTwo.

Dragon overcomes issues, arrives at Station

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/03/04 09:16 CST | 2 comments

SpaceX's Dragon capsule has arrived at the International Space Station following a wild Friday in which the capsule's thrusters experienced an issue.

Dragon reaches orbit, but experiences propellant valve issue

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/03/01 11:41 CST | 1 comments

SpaceX's CRS-2 mission began successfully, but hit a snag when a thruster propellant valve failed to work properly.

Human spaceflight update: the modules edition

Posted by Jason Davis on 2013/01/16 10:41 CST | 2 comments

NASA made Wednesday a big day for human spaceflight following the official announcements of two new partnerships with Bigelow Aerospace and the European Space Agency.

SpaceX's Grasshopper makes leap toward reusability

Posted by Jason Davis on 2012/12/26 01:18 CST | 14 comments

SpaceX's Grasshopper rocket passed its most ambitious test flight yet, rising 12 stories before hovering and settling gently back down onto its landing pad.

SpaceX's first paid cargo run off to bumpy start

Posted by Jason Davis on 2012/10/08 11:03 CDT | 7 comments

SpaceX successfully sent their first paid Dragon capsule towards the International Space Station Sunday night. But the bigger story happened on the way to orbit.